Tim Dobbins hasn’t even played a single down for the Miami Dolphins and already the former San Diego Charger is putting down roots.

Dobbins, a fifth-year linebacker out of Iowa State, has signed a two-year contract extension, according to his South Florida-based agent, David Canter.

The deal, which includes a signing bonus and a reworked base salary for 2010, includes more than $3 million in guaranteed money, according to a league source. Dobbins, previously a restricted free agent, signed his $1.176 million tender for 2010 before a draft-day trade.

Dobbins, 27, was acquired in the draft-day trade-down in which the Dolphins moved out of the No. 12 overall spot to draft Penn State defensive end Jared Odrick at No. 27. The Chargers grabbed former Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews with the higher pick.

“Tim is a good football player,” new Dolphins linebackers coach Bill Sheridan said recently. “When we got him in the draft weekend, we pulled up some film just to refresh our memories about him. He’s really an instinctive player and he’s a football player.

“He’s physical, he’s got a nose for the ball. In my opinion he’ll be a very, very good addition to our team. They hadn’t had a lot of depth here at inside linebacker, so here’s a guy that has started NFL games before and played a lot. In our minds he’s an excellent get.”

The decision to reward Dobbins comes in the wake of the release of fellow reserve inside linebacker Reggie Torbor, who quickly hooked on with Buffalo. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano has praised Dobbins’ offseason work and projects him to be a “core four” special teams player.

Veteran linebacker Tim Dobbins wasn't an afterthought in the draftday trade that allowed the San Diego Chargers to pick Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews and sent Dobbins to the Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins have signed Dobbins to a two-year contract extension, according to his agent, David Canter.

According to a league source, Dobbins' extension included over $3 million in guaranteed money over the two years.

At the time of the trade, the Dolphins praised Dobbins.

"We traded down with San Diego, picked up a player in the trade, a guy named Tim Dobbins, an inside linebacker," Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said. "He was a restricted free agent this year. We liked him in the restricted process, they put him in the trade. He was a player that we liked very much in the restricted free agency process like I said, that was a need for us that could help us in the back end of our roster at the inside linebacker position."

Dobbins signed his $1.176 million restricted free agent tender prior to leaving the Chargers.

Dobbins played in 14 games with two starts last season.

He finished last season with 57 tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, an interception and a forced fumble. Dobbins also had four tackles and recovered a fumble on special teams.

"He’s a core special teams player, he’s had some starts at inside linebacker at both what we call the ‘Mike’ and ‘Moe,'" Ireland said. "Both inside linebacker positions. He’s coming from a familiar defense, a scheme in a 3-4 out at San Diego so we felt real good about getting him and that’s where we’re at right now. I feel great about getting Dobbins as well as part of this package."

Dobbins is being counted on as a core special teamer and insurance behind starter Channing Crowder, who is coming off a Lisfranc injury. The Dolphins are obviously satisfied with what they saw out of the newcomer after he worked with the first team for the majority of offseason practices.

seems like the staff are really happy about getting Dobbins in the trade and have proven that by giving him an extension this early into evaluating him firsthand. More than likely he will see some time at ILB with Crowder coming off an injury.

I wonder how many LB's the team will decide to keep on the roster, cause they have 12 I believe right now?